U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,249 – 13,342

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CI708

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources and Al’Amaq [ISIL press agency] reported that up to 108 civilians were killed and 265 were wounded due to artillery shelling and airstrikes by the international Coalition, the Iraqi Joint Forces and popular militia over a number of days. A medical source had told Yaqein Agency in a press statement that “108…

Summary

Published
12 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
30–108
Civilians reported injured
265
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CS810

Location

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “102. May 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in…

Summary

Published
12 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CS806

Location

القورية, Quriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Euphrates Post, five named civilians died in an airstrike when the car they were in was struck in Quriya. According to one source, Zaman Alwasl, the victims died as they were returning from a picnic in nearby Badia. The US-led alliance later accepted responsibility for injuring one person in the event. All…

Summary

Published
12 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CS807

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians from one family and an additional person died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Third neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local media. SheroAlo1 said that “the family of the media activist Wassim Abdou“, died in a Coaltion strike, adding that the victims were still under the rubble. According to Etihad Press –…

Summary

Published
12 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CS808

Location

مزرعة الأسدية, Al Asadeya farm, Raqqa, Syria
Between 10 and 20 civilians – including “entire families” – died and dozens more were wounded in a casualty event at Al-Asadeya farm. Most sources attributed the incident to Kurdish artillery, and only one blamed the US-led Coalition. The alliance later admitted responsibility for ten deaths. It was later revealed that the strike was either…

Summary

Published
12 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2017

Incident Code

CS799

Location

بئر الهشم, Bir Al Hashem, Raqqa, Syria
Between 12 and 18 civilians including eight children and four women – reportedly from the same family – died and dozens more were injured in an Coalition airstrike on the Al Hashem area north of Raqqa city, local media reported. Euphrates Post said that 12 non-combatants were killed in the Coalition strike, most of whom…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–18
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident